AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 13

AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES

(Fbom Our Own Cobbespondent.) WELLINGTON, September 12 The Minister of Agriculture, in his annual report, states that the prolongation of the •war is placing an increasing strain on the agricultural industry, the provision of the necessary labour being the principal problem to cope -with. It will be for the Government after a _ wide survey of the position and consultation with the various authorities concerned to indicate any necessary limits in connection with the industry's chare in military services. Possibly the precedent regarding exemptions set by Great Britain might be reasonably followed by New Zealand, but in any case the Time appears to be approaching when the women of the country must be called into the agricultural ranks in no inconsiderable numbers. Here also we have the example of the Motherland. Our boys leaving school must also help to fill the gaps to a greater extent than hitherto. There is also a great opportunity for retired farmers to render patriotic service in the training and superintending of such labour yecruits. As regards the great primary industries, proper partial exemptions have already been granted to certain classes of workers.

The present position in regard to our overpeas trade should cause all concerned to look Well ahead and consider the best scheme of farming and production to follow under possible eventualities during the ensuing .sea &on. Questions of live stock management are chiefly connected, such as whether to carry over more lambs and freeze more (rtieep. Again, should the dairy factories toako butter or cheese, and so on, A cam-

plete stoppage of shipping even for a comparatively short time would require the adoption of very radical measures, and these should be worked out in advance ais war emergencies are worked out by a military general staff. It appears, however, not unduly optimistic to hold that the new producing season may be commenced on fairly normal lines. Above all things, a strong all round food production policy should be maintained.- Any suggestions for a limitation of production on the grounds of a possible stoppage of exports cannot be considered. Neither New Zealand nor the Empire is at the end of its resources in shipping or in storage. With a worldwide storage of foodstuffs among the possibilities of the near future any slackening off m production cannot be too strongly deprecated. The conclusion of peace with an earning of the shipping difficulty should find New Zealand ready as a supplier to the utmost of its capacity.